The report by Ofsted claims a failure by social workers to recognise risk "is leaving some children in harmful situations, or at risk of harm, for too long."

It adds: "Too many children are re-referred to children's services because risks and needs from repeat parental behaviours were not sufficiently identified or met the first time.

"Consequently, too many children experience intervention that fails to reduce the risks they face and fails to address their needs."

The report goes on: "There are widespread and serious failures in the recognition of risk and in the quality of social work practice for children in need of help and protection.

Hull City Council's children's social care services have been judged as inadequate by Ofsted inspectors (Image: @TarkId=23061366)

"A lack of authoritative practice by social workers and managers means that risk and need are not identified quickly enough for too many children.

"Arrangements to safeguard children with specific vulnerabilities, such as disabled children, children living in private fostering arrangements and 16-year-old homeless children, are ineffective."

A four-strong Ofsted inspection team who carried out a two-week visit to Hull in January said Hull City Council had failed to deliver necessary improvements since a previous critical inspection in 2015, despite the arrival of new children's services director Alison Murphy two years ago and subsequent changes to the way the department operates.

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"While some important aspects of leadership have strengthened, the actions that leaders have taken have not sufficiently addressed the weaknesses in frontline practice and management oversight, in particular for children in need of help and protection."

The inspectors found there was no "continued professional oversight" of safety plans or agreements made with parents and put in place when a child's case was closed following a referral.

"This means that some children remain in situations on ongoing and unassessed risk of harm," they concluded.

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Inspectors found a "small number" of children living with foster carers where no assessment of the suitability of the placement had been carried out, while the carers had no support plans in place and no understanding of of their rights to access support if needed.

"This means that managers cannot be assured that these arrangements are safe for children," said the report.

As well as delivering an overall grading of inadequate for the effectiveness of children's social care services in the city, the same judgement was made for the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection.

Leadership and the experience of children in care and care leavers were judged to be requiring improvement.

Council bosses 'very disappointed'

Council leader Councillor Stephen Brady said: "I am very disappointed at the findings of this inspection. The needs of the city’s children are paramount and are at the centre of everything we do and strive for as a council.

"We understand that significant improvements need to be made and are giving this our absolute focus.

"Working closely with Ofsted and the Department for Education, we will ensure that the necessary improvements are made quickly so that the services we provide to our children and their families are of the highest standards."

City council chief executive Matt Jukes (Image: Richard Addison)

Council chief executive Matt Jukes, said: "The Ofsted judgement is hugely disappointing but we take it extremely seriously and are committed to making the necessary improvements.

"While we have been prioritising our children’s services for a number of years, it is clear that we have much more to do to ensure all of our most vulnerable children and young people receive the highest standards of care, support and protection they need and deserve.

"No-one goes into social work for a stress-free life or to make money. People do it because they want the best possible outcomes for the children they work with and I firmly believe our teams are fantastic at doing that."

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